Raimondo Issues Apology for Failing to Wear Mask at Providence Protest
Saturday, June 06, 2020
Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo on Saturday afternoon issued an apology for failing to wear a protective mask at Friday night's protest in Providence.
“The late hours in front of the State House last night were tense and hectic, and in that moment I neglected to put on a mask. That was wrong, it was counter to our public health guidance, and I apologize. I have worked today to track down the names of those I was in contact with so that they can be added to my contact tracing notebook,” Raimondo said.
For weeks, Raimondo has been ordering Rhode Islanders to adhere to certain mandated behaviors during the coronavirus crisis.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTIn phase 1 of reopening the state, it was to not gather in groups greater than five. In phase 2, it was upped to fifteen.
“If you find yourself in a crowd…you’re doing something wrong,” Raimondo has said repeatedly during her daily coronavirus press briefings.
Just this week, Raimondo extended her executive order requiring face masks in public until July 4.
Friday after 9 PM — the curfew set by Mayor Jorge Elorza — Raimondo left her State House office to meet with a crowd of about 100 protesters on the State House steps, after more than 10,000 packed the streets starting at 4:30.
Raimondo, without a mask, joined hands with one of the protesters.
Executive Order Requires Mask Until July 5th
The Executive Order on masks states, “Any person who is in a place open to the public, whether indoors or outdoors, shall continue to cover their mouth and nose with a mask or cloth face covering.”
Moreover, “The Director of [the Rhode Island Department of Health] or her designees are further authorized to assess civil penalties and enact rules and regulations in furtherance of such penalties, for violation of this Order. Such civil penalties shall be in addition to any other penalties authorized by law.”
“Thank you for standing up for what matters…for standing up for what we believe in,” said Raimondo, as the crowd surrounded her -- without a mask -- on Friday. “Great protest today. I’m listening. I want black lives to matter. “
“Where’s your mask?” a protester shouted at the Governor.
“Nice photo op, Gina — you got a bible?’ shouted another.
Masks were required of reporters at Raimondo's Friday morning press event.
Social Media Backlash
“I am livid,” wrote Sue Stenhouse, Chief of Staff for the House Minority Office.
“Governor Raimondo with no mask — no social distancing, max gatherings of 15 people, holding hands,” she wrote.
“But it is too dangerous for the legislature to meet, to go to school, hold graduations, to go to church, to grieve our loved ones, to open fully restaurants and businesses, to have a wedding reception, to open up our important RI tourism and hospitality industry?” Stenhouse added.
“The Executive Orders are meaningless. Time to take back our state, our economy, our precious moments — time for true leadership,” said Stenhouse. “So many lives upended...I am angry. And this less than 24 hours from extending the mask order until July 4th? The hypocrisy is unforgivable for the amount of hurt caused across our state.”
